Andrew Sachs dies, aged 86

German born actor, Andrew Sachs, has died aged 86 following a four year battle with dementia. The former Fawlty Towers star died on the 23rd of November and was buried on the 1st of December; after which his death was announced.

Adorning our screens as the the comedic waiter, Manuel, in the very much institutionalised British Sitcom, Faulty Towers, Sachs spent four years on the programme from 1975, bringing laughter into the homes of many Brits with his dim and constantly confused character. Running for only 12 episodes in 2000, the comedy masterpiece was ranked number one in a list of the 100 greatest British Television programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute. For his work, Sachs’ was nominated for the 1980 BAFTA Award for, ‘Best Light Entertainment performance’ and in the same year ‘Faulty Towers’ won the BAFTA for best situation comedy.

Of his role as the much adored comedy waiter, Sachs commented in 2014 that: “It was just a part I was playing and people seemed to laugh.” Sachs’ character became renowned for his one- liners, often saying no more than: ‘Que’ or ‘I know nothing.’

Sachs’ career expands across multiple platforms, appearing in the 2012 film Quartet as the character Bobby Swanson and also in the British Drama, Coronation street as Ramsay Clegg. His diagnosis of dementia came in 2012, leaving the once high-spirited actor confined to a wheelchair.

Celebrities took to Twitter in masses this morning to express their condolences for the late actor, amongst whom was Journalist Piers Morgan, writing: “Very sad to hear about #AndrewSachs – a true comedy legend & great actor.” Fellow comedian Miranda Hart and actor Tony Robinson also left touching messages for the late star, with Robinson announcing:

“So sad that Andrew Sachs has died. A true friend and a kindred spirit. I still have the wonderful baby pictures he took of my children. RIP.”